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Geometry as seen by string theory

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Japanese Journal of Mathematics Aims and scope

Abstract.

This is an introductory review of the topological string theory from physicist’s perspective. I start with the definition of the theory and describe its relation to the Gromov–Witten invariants. The BCOV holomorphic anomaly equations, which generalize the Quillen anomaly formula, can be used to compute higher genus partition functions of the theory. The open/closed string duality relates the closed topological string theory to the Chern–Simons gauge theory and the random matrix model. As an application of the topological string theory, I discuss the counting of bound states of D-branes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA

    Hirosi Ooguri

  2. Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8586, Japan

    Hirosi Ooguri

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  1. Hirosi Ooguri
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Communicated by: Hiraku Nakajima

This article is based on the 4th Takagi Lectures that the author delivered at the Kyoto University on June 21, 2008.

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Ooguri, H. Geometry as seen by string theory. Jpn. J. Math. 4, 95–120 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11537-009-0833-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11537-009-0833-0

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